Federalism and pandemic policies: variety as the spice of life

Abstract

In the ordinary course of life, choices vary with age and other factors because one's opportunities vary with one's circumstances. Thus, investments in and expenditures on healthcare (and most other things) vary with age and a variety of other factors, including whether one lives in a rural area, suburb, or central city, health risks, risk aversion, and beliefs about the nature of a good life. Because assessment of the effects of illnesses vary with the same factors, the conclusions reached about best private and governmental health policies also tend to vary. This implies that conformity to "ideal" pandemic policies is more likely to be generated by a federal or polycentric system of policy making than a unitary system, especially ones that are constrained by a generality principle.

The political cost of sanctions: Evidence from COVID-19

“…More in general, our results connect to the literature exploring the behavioral responses to the crisis ( [30] , [31] , [32] , [33] , [34] , [16] ). Citizens’ opinions about pandemic policy measures are crucial to compliance with emergency rules (e.g., [35] , [36] , [37] , [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] ).…”

Forerunners vs. Latecomers - Institutional Competition in the German Federalism During the Covid Crisis

“…11 In order to keep our paper compact, we do not discuss the huge body of general economics of federalism and political economy in a federal and democratic state. For a recent theory-driven approach with reference also to generally relevant literature see, inter alia, Congleton (2023).…”

“…The topic of federalism in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic is addressed by a growing literature, which, however, mostly focuses on which responses were best to fight the pandemic. In a theory paper, Congleton (2023) derives a superiority of federal systems over unitary systems when combating a pandemic. Greer et al (2022aGreer et al ( , 2023 compare different countries (Brazil, India, U.S. in the first and Germany, Spain, U.S. in the second paper).…”

Forerunners vs. Latecomers - Institutional Competition in the German Federalism during the COVID Crisis

“…As discussed in the literature review (section 1), the literature focused predominantly on the vertical competition between the federal and regional levels so far.6 In order to keep our paper compact, we do not discuss the huge body of general economics of federalism and political economy in a federal and democratic state. For a recent theory-driven approach with reference also to generally relevant literature see, inter alia,Congleton (2023).…”